Native flora and introduced plants of the ecologically important Pilliga Forests of Northwestern NSW

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Lycium feroissimum

Lycium feroissimum (African Box-thorn) a noxious weed

Lycium feroissimum originated from southern Africa and is a declared noxious weed in all of NSW.

Family -Solanaceae

Common name - African Box-thorn

Flowers and fruit - White to mauve tubular flower 10 to 12mm long with protruding stamens. Fruit is an orange-red berry 5 to 10mm diameter containing many seeds. Lycium feroissimum flowers and fruits at any time through the year.

Leaves and stems - Leaves are usually clustered, 10 to 40mm long and 4 to 10 mm wide. Stems are woody when mature, and bear sharp, stout spines.

Habit and habitat - Dense many-branched shrub to 4m high. Grows in agricultural, pastoral and urban wasteland, as well as open woodland.

The Pilliga Forest is the largest remaining continuous remnant of semi-arid woodland in NSW, consisting of about 500,000 hectares of public bushland. The environment changes from cypress pine to ironbark to scribbly gum to box, and back again, interspersed with expansive heaths and a network of sandy creeks. The Pilliga is recognised as one of the most important areas for biodiversity in eastern Australia and is home to more than 350 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs. To many who travel through the area, the woodlands might look monotonous, but if you drive the back roads slowly or wander amongst the vegetation, you will discover that The Pilliga is full of life and richness and wonder. It is truly a special place, and of huge significance to the survival of countless native plants and animals.